Reaction rates in allogeneic donors.

In Canada and several other countries, there is an upper age limit for blood donation. In order to evaluate the safety of whole blood donation in elderly Canadian allogeneic donors, we analysed reaction rates following whole blood donation. Reactions rates in allogeneic whole blood donors who donated at Canadian Blood Services were reviewed retrospectively. Rates were analysed by age, donation frequency and by donation frequency for each age group. A total of 5478 reactions were available for analysis in 469 837 donors. The highest rate of mild reactions occurred in donors less than 20 years of age. Moderate and severe reactions decreased with increasing age and with donation frequency. Age-adjusted rates for mild reactions were less frequent in donors aged 66-77 years than in donors younger than 20 years. Although age-adjusted moderate reactions varied with donation frequency, after seven donations, rates were not increased for donors aged 60 years or older (0.61% for donors aged less than 20 years compared to 0.03% for donors aged 60-65 years compared to 0% for donors aged 66-71 years). Age-adjusted rates for severe reactions generally did not increase with donation frequency. These results confirm the safety of whole blood donation in regular donors who are 66-71 years of age.

Synthesis and antioxidant activity of novel amphipathic derivatives of tea polyphenol.

Hydrophobic derivatives of a tea polyphenol have been synthesized. 6, 8-Bis(octylthiomethyl)-epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate, 6, 8-bis(octylthiomethyl)-4 beta-(2-hydroxyethylthio)epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate and epigallocatechin 3-O-[4-O-(N-octadecylcarbamoyl)gallate] showed strong inhibition activity against lipid peroxidation of liposome caused by both lipid-soluble and water-soluble radical generators.

[Moyamoya disease associated with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)].

A case of moyamoya disease associated with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) was reported. A 26-year-old male patient was admitted on April 11, 1992, with sudden onset of right cerebral hemorrhage. Cerebral angiography revealed moyamoya disease and bilateral encephalo-duro-arterio-synangiosis (EDAS) was performed. In March, 1993, however, he suffered from left cerebral hemorrhage. Neurological examination on the second admission showed disturbance of consciousness, motor aphasia and right hemiplegia. Emergency operation for the hematoma removal was performed and neurological functions rapidly improved. However, on the day following the operation, he was in stupor and restlessness. Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and severe thrombocytopenia were identified and he gradually sank into a comatose state. Systemic purpura, fever, renal dysfunction also appeared. CT scan 22 days after the onset demonstrated diffuse cerebral infarction in the region of the bilateral anterior and middle cerebral arteries, and cerebral angiography on the next day demonstrated the development of bilateral internal carotid stenosis. Though laboratory findings indicate gradual improvement, he has remained in very weak state. This is the first case of moyamoya disease associated with TTP. The etiology of both diseases was discussed.

[A case of hemangioblastoma with subarachnoid dissemination].

A case is reported in which a diffuse subarachnoid dissemination occurred after successful removal of a posterior fossa hemangioblastoma. The patient was a 51-year-old man who suffered from headache and gait disturbance, and who was admitted to our hospital on September 25, 1985. Neurological examination revealed trunkal ataxia and increased intracranial pressure. A CT scan with contrast media revealed a high-density lesion with surrounding low-density area in the posterior fossa. Right vertebral angiography demonstrated a round tumor stain behind the medulla oblongata, which was fed by the right posterior inferior cerebellar artery. The complete resection of the tumor was carried out. A biopsy specimen from the tumor showed a picture characteristic of hemangioblastoma. Fourteen months later the patient was readmitted due to the sudden onset of disturbance of consciousness. A CT scan revealed a large intracerebral hematoma in the right putaminal region. Right carotid angiography demonstrated two small tumor stains in the right temporal lobe. An emergency operation to extirpate the hematoma was performed. But the disturbance of consciousness did not improve, and the patient died. At necropsy a lot of small round tumors were recognized at the surface of the bilateral cerebral and cerebellar cortex. They were present in the subarachnoid space and partially invaded the cerebral and cerebellar parenchyma, extending through Virchow-Robin's space. There was no recurrence of the tumor at the site of the original operation. No doubt, a subarachnoid dissemination had occurred. However the histological findings of tumors were similar to the findings recorded in the first biopsy.